'I Was Sleeping When...': BJP Leader Stops Thief From Stealing Mother's Ashes On Train

News18

4 days ago

As Devendra Inani lay asleep under a white sheet, he sensed a hand near his face and swiftly grabbed it, catching a thief trying to steal the bag carrying his late mother's ashes
In a dramatic turn of events on the night of July 20, BJP leader Devendra Inani, travelling from Indore to Haridwar, thwarted a theft attempt while on a train journey to immerse his mother's ashes and three other relatives.
Inani, the BJP media in-charge of Indore Assembly segment 1, was accompanied by eight family members on the Rishikesh Express. On the night of July 20, they caught the train from Indore's Laxmibai Nagar station.
According to an Indian Express report, the tickets to Haridwar had been reserved nearly a month in advance. The journey was planned following the death of Inani's 85-year-old mother, Ramkanya Inani, on April 8.
The incident reportedly took place in the early hours of July 21, around 4 am, between Morena and Agra Cantt stations. A man is said to have entered their S-2 coach from the nearby S-4.
Inani, who had fallen asleep with a white sheet pulled up, felt a hand near his face. Instead of recoiling in fear, he quickly grabbed the hand, just as the train lights came on. The intruder, aiming to steal a brass bag wrapped in a red cloth that contained the ashes of Inani's late mother, was caught red-handed.
The thief, who had boarded the train between Morena and Agra, had already stolen from another compartment before reaching Inani's berth. Passengers nearby woke up upon hearing the commotion and promptly subdued the thief. During the subsequent interrogation, it was revealed that the accused had attempted theft in a previous compartment as well.
According to The Indian Express, a search of the coach led to the recovery of two empty purses in the washroom, while one passenger claimed his mobile phone had been thrown out of the moving train. The suspect, reportedly a resident of Gwalior, was handed over to the Government Railway Police (GRP) at Agra Cantt. Authorities are currently investigating his background and any prior criminal record.
In an emotional conversation with News18, Inani expressed his distress, stating, 'If my mother's ashes had been destroyed, what would I answer my mother's soul?" He described the incident as deeply upsetting, emphasising that it was not just a theft but an act that hurt religious and familial sentiments.
As per The Indian Express, the accused was later turned over to the Government Railway Police (GRP), which has taken over the investigation. In the aftermath of the incident, several passengers urged authorities to strengthen security on trains to avoid such episodes.
Inani and his family continued their journey, reaching Haridwar on Monday and carrying out the rituals the following day. A video that emerged on Tuesday shows the accused being held by Inani and other passengers before being handed over to the authorities.
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First Published:
July 24, 2025, 10:56 IST
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